Atkinson-Shiffrin's Multi-store Model Of Memory

Question 0

Multi-store model

Answer 0

3 separate but interacting systems

Each plays distinctive part in memory process

1. Sensory register
2. Short-term store
3. Long-term store

Question 1

AKA

Answer 1

Three box model

Question 2

Sensory register

Answer 2

Entry point for all new information from external environment as experience by sensory system

Question 3

Duration of sensory memory

Answer 3

When we receive (e.g. Visual input) its image remains for approx 0.5 seconds in relatively unanalysed form
Information not attended to or processed further is forgotten

Question 4

Sensory register V. Sensory memory

Answer 4

Sensory memory is the storage that occurs within the sensory registers

Question 5

Disruption of sensory memory

Answer 5

Additional information entering the SAME sensory channel disrupts the storage

Question 6

2 types of sensory memory:

Answer 6

1. Iconic: (0.2-0.5s) known as visual modality - involves storage of stimuli which have been discriminated in terms of physical feature only (e.g size, shape, colour) as distinct from their meaning
2. Echoic: (3-4 s) known as auditory modality - works in same way except deals with sound

Question 7

Short-term store

Answer 7

Where information is attended to and transferred
If not attended to the memory trace/neural imprint decays and disappears
AKA working memory - also where information to perform everyday functions is manipulated

Question 8

STM Duration

Answer 8

12-18 – 30 s unaided
Can be extended by rehearsal
Can easily be disrupted by external or internal distractions
All info eventually completely lost

Question 9

Rehearsal

Answer 9

Requires some sort of speech (aloud or internal) to keep information circulating in STM
Allows information to be held in STM for longer
2 types:
1. Maintenance
2. Elaborative

Question 10

Coding in STM

Answer 10

Primarily acoustic

Information from sensory memory (incl. visual) is converted to sound and stored in that form

Question 11

Capacity of STM

Answer 11

Limited to 7 (+-2) bits of information

Can be seen as slots where only one piece of information can fit inside each slot

Question 12

Chunking

Answer 12

Reduction of unlimited amounts of information into smaller amounts to fill less ‘slots’

A form of encoding because it imposes meaning on otherwise meaningless letters and numbers

Question 13

Advantages of chunking

Answer 13

1. Increases capacity

2. More likely information will be stored longer

Question 14

How to chunk

Answer 14

1. Arrange letters into words –> into phrases –> into sentences
2. Converting e.g 1066 (4 bits of information) into a date. A string of 28 numbers could be 7 dates
3. Using a rule that can be remembered easily

Question 15

Maintenance rehearsal

Answer 15

Overt (aloud) or covert (in head) repetition of information - fine for maintaining information in STM but will not always lead to LTM

Question 16

Elaborative Rehearsal

Answer 16

Information actively analysed for its physical, sensory or semantic (meaningful) features and so is more effective in transferring info from STM to LTM
Links new info with existing
Active process with more effective coding/deeper processing

Question 17

2 terms to describe human memory:

Answer 17

1. Structural features: permanent built in fixed features of memory that never vary (e.g. The 3 different stores)
2. Control processes: selected and used by each individual and may vary across situations. Under conscious control.

Question 18

Long-term store

Answer 18

Information held relatively permanently I a highly organised way
Holds all potentially retrievable information that is not currently being used
Enable us to deal with past and use info to deal with present

Question 19

Capacity of LTM

Answer 19

Thought to have unlimited capacity

Question 20

Classes of information in LTM

Answer 20

1. Spatial model of world around us
2. Knowledge of the physical world, laws and properties of objects
3. Beliefs about people, ourselves, social norms, values and goals
4. Motor skills, problem solving skills and plans for achieving various things

Question 21

Duration of LTM

Answer 21

Between a few minutes and several years (potentially and entire lifetime)

Question 22

Coding in LTM

Answer 22

2 forms (at least) -
1. Semantic code: deals with materials in terms of verbal meaning. More common, esp. With abstract material
2. Imagery or visual code: takes pictorial form
Potential 3rd -
Acoustic

Question 23

Declarative memory

Answer 23

Covers episodic memory and semantic memory

Refers to learning material declaratively - knowing THAT … (Fact memory)

Question 24

Episodic memory (EM)

Answer 24

Autobiographical memory responsible for storing a record of our past experiences –> events, people etc.
Usually includes details about time and place something occurred

Question 25

Semantic memory (SM)

Answer 25

Stores general factual knowledge about world incl. concepts,rules and language
Used without reference to time & place info was learnt

Question 26

Procedural Memory

Answer 26

Can be considered skill memory

Refers to knowing how to DO something